Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera #3)(23)

"Tavi," Amara said.

"Tavi." Bernard stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Amara. She leaned against his strength and warmth. "I think Isana blames Alias death on the First Lord. It isn't rational, I suppose."

"But understandable," Amara murmured. "Especially if she feels guilty about her sister's death."

Bernard grunted, lifting his eyebrows. "Hadn't ever thought of it that way. Sounds about right. Isana has always been the type who blames herself for things she couldn't have done anything about. That isn't rational, either." He tightened his arms on Amara, and she leaned into it. The fire was warm, and her weariness slowly spread over her, making her feel heavy.

Bernard gave her a last little squeeze and picked her up. "We both need more sleep."

She sighed and laid her head against his chest. Her husband carried her to the bed, undressed her of the clothing she'd thrown on before rushing into the rain, and slipped into the sheets with her. He held her very gently, his presence steady and gentle, and she slipped an arm around him before falling into a doze that quickly sank toward deeper sleep.

She considered the furystorm in the drifting stillness that comes just before dreams. Her instincts told her that it had not been natural. She feared that, like the severe storms of two years ago, it might be a deliberate effort on behalf of one of the Realm's enemies to weaken Alera. Especially now, given the events stirring across the Realm.

She choked down a whimper and pressed herself closer to her husband. A quiet little voice in her thoughts told her that she should take every moment of peace and safety she could find-because she suspected they were about to become memories.

Tavi didn't get his sword up in time, and Max's downward stroke struck his wrist at an appallingly perpendicular angle. Tavi heard a snapping sound and had time to think Those are my wrist hones before the world went suddenly scarlet with pain and sent him to one knee. He keeled over onto his side.

Max's rudius, a wooden practice blade, hit his shoulder and head quite firmly before Tavi managed to wheeze, "Hold it!"

At his side, Maestro Magnus flicked his own rudius at Max in a quick salute, then unstrapped his wide Legion shield from his left arm. He dropped the rudius and knelt beside Tavi. "Here, lad. Let me see."

"Crows!" Max snarled, spitting. "You dropped your shield. You dropped your bloody shield again, Calderon."

"You broke my crowbegotten arm!" Tavi snarled. The pain kept burning.

Max tossed his own shield and rudius down in disgust. "It was your own fault. You aren't taking this seriously. You need more practice."

"Go to the crows, Max," Tavi growled. "If you weren't insisting on this stupid fighting technique, this wouldn't have happened."

Magnus paused and exchanged a look with Max. Then he sighed and removed his hands from Tavi's injured arm, taking up shield and rudius again.

"Ready your shield and get up," Max said, his voice calm as he recovered his own rudius.

Tavi snorted. "You've broken my bloody arm. How do you expect me to-"

Max let out a roar and swept the practice weapon at Tavi's head.

Tavi barely threw himself back in time to avoid the stroke and he struggled to regain his feet, balance wavering because of the pain and the heavy shield on his left arm. "Max!" he shouted.

His friend roared again, weapon sweeping down.

Magnus's rudius swept through the air and deflected the blow, then the old Maestro shouldered into Tavi's shield side, bracing him long enough to get his balance underneath him.